Projects per year
Abstract
This study assessed if the association between mental disorders and higher student absences varies across different profiles of risk factors, and estimated the proportion of student absences associated with mental disorders. Data included responses from a nationally representative Australian survey of child and adolescent mental health (Young Minds Matter, N = 5,081). A latent class analysis identified four classes of multiple risk exposure for students and their families, including On Track (55%), Low Resources (22%), Child Concerns (15%), and Overwhelmed (7%). Negative binomial regression models with adjustment for misclassification probabilities showed that absence rate ratios were higher among students classified as Low Resources (1.8 times), Child Concerns (1.7 times), or Overwhelmed (3.0 times) than On Track students. Overall, students with an anxiety or depressive disorder had 1.2 times as many absences as students without a disorder, after adjusting for latent class membership. There was no support for the hypothesis that the association between anxiety/depressive disorder and absences would be greater for students experiencing multiple risk exposures. Behavioral disorders were not associated with higher absences. Mental disorders accounted for approximately 8.6% of absences among secondary students (Years 7–12) and 2.4% of absences among primary students (Years 1–6). The estimated contribution of mental disorders to school absences is not trivial; however, the contribution is about half that estimated by previous research. The educational impacts of mental disorders must be considered in conjunction with the broader social contexts related to both mental disorders and student absences.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 756-771 |
Number of pages | 16 |
Journal | SCHOOL MENTAL HEALTH |
Volume | 13 |
Issue number | 4 |
Early online date | 15 Apr 2021 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - Dec 2021 |
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Dive into the research topics of 'Associations Between Developmental Risk Profiles, Mental Disorders, and Student Absences Among Primary and Secondary Students in Australia'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.Projects
- 1 Finished
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ARC CoE for Children and Families Over the Life Course
Baxter, J. (Investigator 01), Zubrick, S. (Investigator 02), Cobb-Clark, D. (Investigator 03), Western, M. (Investigator 04), Mazerolle, L. (Investigator 05), Sanders, M. (Investigator 06), Harmon, C. (Investigator 07), Haynes, M. (Investigator 08) & Lawrence, D. (Investigator 09)
ARC Australian Research Council
1/01/14 → 31/12/20
Project: Research